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    Know When to Hold ‘Em… Signs You Shouldn’t Buy an Investment Property

Know When to Hold ‘Em… Signs You Shouldn’t Buy an Investment Property

As a real estate investor, you know how important it is to make each property an exceptional purchase. However, there are some properties that you should just pass on, no matter how eager you are to make a flip. Here are some red flags for property showings that should signal for you to move on to the next deal.

Wood rot. Examine the property thoroughly for signs of rotten wood. Wooden decks and floors surrounding tubs, toilets and sinks should be inspected. If you find signs of rot on the outside, there’s a good chance that behind the wall is even worse. Your home inspector will be able to point out specifics if you didn’t catch them when you first looked at the property (and this is yet another reason it’s so important to have a talented inspector on your team).
Inadequate repairs. A house with a long history is more likely to have amateur repairs. Sometimes the repairs are not up to code, especially when it comes to plumbing or electrical jobs, which means they should be fixed by a professional to prevent additional damage.
Old building materials. Aside from potentially being structurally unsafe, older building materials may contain lead, radon, or even dangerous levels of asbestos. Be sure to have the home tested for dangerous materials before you make a final decision to buy.
Roofing woes. Sometimes a house can look terrific everywhere but up top. Be sure to inspect the roof of any prospective property for holes, leaks, and weathered shingles that need to be replaced. Take a look at the gutters and chimney while you are poking around up there, too. Your inspector will conduct a thorough check, but it’s a good idea to […]

By |August 19th, 2017|Hard Money, Home Improvements, Investment, REIs|0 Comments
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5 Common Mistakes REIs Make With Signs

Signs are a terrific way to advertise a property you have for sale. At the same time, don’t fall victim to these common mistakes!

Breaking the Law – depending what county you live in, it may be illegal to post signs for your property. In some counties, you can only post them on specific days (for example, on weekends). The last thing you want is to spend all of your time placing your signs, only to be fined and have them removed.
Your sign is too small – simply put, a person cannot read what they cannot see. You should always opt in for the largest signs possible. This will especially make it easier for people to read as they drive by.
Neglecting the phone number – the phone number is the most important part of the sign. Without it, nobody would be able to get ahold of you! Don’t neglect it by placing it in the corner or in too small of a font (your phone number should be as large as the rest of your message, if not bigger).
Bad sign placement –be sure not to put your sign in areas of low traffic or visibility. Ideally, traffic lights and stop signs are a good idea. People will be stationary in these areas and probably looking around.
Too many signs – oversaturation is a problem. It can annoy the drivers for one, and can also make you seem less personable. You can learn a lot more by strategically placing your signs at least a half a mile apart, and pay close attention to where your calls are coming from so that you know where to concentrate your advertising efforts.

By |May 3rd, 2017|REIs, Selling|0 Comments
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5 Kitchen Design Trends REIs Need to Know About in 2017

As a real estate investor, you already know that a great kitchen can sell a house—so what makes a great kitchen?

Check out 2017’s five hottest kitchen design trends to find out.
2017 Kitchen Design Trend #1: Grays, Not Whites
Gray is “in” right now, especially with millennials hitting the market as first-time buyers. Combined with rich, stained wood, it’s warm and inviting—exactly what new buyers want.

2017 Kitchen Design Trend #2: Hydraulic Cabinet Doors

Hydraulic kitchen cabinet doors are space-age space-savers, and it turns out they’re just what homebuyers want in 2017. With the push of a button, the door opens in an upward direction and leaves plenty of room in the rest of the kitchen.
2017 Kitchen Design Trend #3: Funky Sinks
Forget stainless steel and think colored enamel. A splash (pun intended) of color in a neutral kitchen makes a huge difference to buyers.
2017 Kitchen Design Trend #4: Big, Bold Fixtures
Oversized light fixtures can be pretty amazing in a kitchen, as long as they’re not clunky or obtrusive.
2017 Kitchen Design Trend #5: Ample Kitchen Storage
Don’t leave any wasted space in the kitchen; you can even turn a false drawer into a great place to stash oddly shaped kitchen utensils.
Do You Need a Commercial or Residential Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you’re looking for a hard money loan in Atlanta, we may be able to help you.

Call us at 404-814-1644 or contact us online to find out whether you might qualify for this type of funding. In the meantime, check to ensure that you meet our loan criteria. Our loan amounts can be up to 65 percent of the after-repaired value of the collateral—and if you use the loan for renovation or construction, the loan amount can be based on the collateral’s improved […]

By |April 7th, 2017|Flipping, Investment, REIs|0 Comments
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2017 Bathroom Trends REIs Need to Know About

If you’re a real estate investor, you need to know all about the 2017 bathroom trends—especially if you expect buyers to fall in love with what you’re putting on the market for resale.
2017 Bathroom Trends for REIs and House-Flippers
This year, much like last year, a bathroom can be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.

However, the 2017 bathroom trends have taken a turn toward nature. Blending organic with new, shiny, and functional is the way to go this year if you’re a real estate investor.

The bathrooms that capture the most favorable attention will have:

Clean colors
Neat lines
Practical arrangement of space (no more toilets sandwiched between cabinets and showers, if you can help it)
Simplicity
Continuity

Being Bold in Bathroom Design
There’s nothing wrong with making the bathroom more like a luxury spa. If you can find the right fixtures at the right prices (check out our list of the best kitchen and bath showrooms in Atlanta), go for it!
Keeping Things Simple in Bathroom Design
Designers are gushing over faucets made from clay, but you don’t have to spend a small fortune. Look for sinks and faucets with clean, simple, and elegant lines; don’t get anything too ornate if you want to appeal to the widest range of buyers.
Do You Need a Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you need funds for an investment property, we may be able to help you. Call us at 404-814-1644 or send us a note. You can also apply for a hard money loan online.

In the meantime, read our FAQ, learn about the hard money loan process and see if you meet our criteria! We’ll be happy to help you if you qualify.

 

By |January 16th, 2017|Flipping, Hard Money, Home Improvements, Home Upgrades, REIs, Remodeling Tips|0 Comments
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Popcorn Ceilings? Get Rid of Them!

Popcorn ceilings are — thankfully — a fad of the past.

Unfortunately, they’re still in many older homes, and homebuyers don’t want anything to do with them. If you’re thinking of flipping a house and it has popcorn ceilings, you’ll be happy to know there are quite a few simple tricks to remove them and start fresh.

Depending on the home’s age, you’ll want to do a lead and asbestos check before you make your decision to remove it. If the house was built before 1980, the possibility that asbestos will show up in testing is high, so you’ll have to call in the experts.
DIY Popcorn Ceiling Removal
If calling a professional is out of your budget, you can always go the do-it-yourself route. Going in knowing that it’s going to be difficult and extremely messy is the first step.

Now it’s time to get down to business.

Cover the floors and rooms with plastic sheeting, so the you can clean the mess easily.

One of the most cost effective ways to remove the popcorn is by scraping it. They sell ceiling scrapers just for this purpose, but you can get by with any run-of-the-mill scraper. After you’ve removed the entire bumpy surface, you can give it a fresh coat of paint.

Here’s a great video tutorial: Removing Popcorn Ceilings.
Do You Need a Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you’re looking for a hard money loan in Atlanta, we may be able to help you.

Call us at 404-814-1644 or contact us online to find out whether you might qualify for this type of funding. In the meantime, check to ensure that you meet our loan criteria. Our loan amounts can be up to 65 percent of the after-repaired value of the collateral—and if you use the loan for renovation […]

By |December 15th, 2016|Flipping, Hard Money, Hard Money Loans, REIs, Remodeling Tips|0 Comments
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Amazing Master Bath Upgrades REIs Can’t Afford to Ignore

When it comes time to renovate your investment property, you may be wondering where to start. No matter how much remodeling your flip requires, one of the main areas homebuyers will focus on is the master bathroom.

If you’re flipping a home, you’re probably looking for ways to save the most money. Make sure your budget allows for upgrades in the master bathroom—this is not an area you want to skimp on. Your best bet would be to save money in other areas of the home, and make the master bath one of the key focal points.
Amazing Master Bath Upgrades REIs Can’t Afford to Ignore
The master bath can make or break the sale of your home. Here are a few things homebuyers are looking for.
Dual Vanity
If space allows, install a double vanity. Buyers will visualize their hectic morning routines and cluttered countertops if only offered one sink.
Soaking Tubs
In an age where vacations are few and far between, offering an oasis type feel will certainly attract offers on your home. Homebuyers are looking to soak away their daily stresses, so you’ll need more than just a stand-up shower.
Upgraded Fixtures
Replacing your faucets and hardware with high quality plumbing and fixtures will increase the value of your home. If you cut costs in this area, you’ll leave the impression that the rest of the house is poorly crafted.
Do You Need a Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you’re looking for a hard money loan in Atlanta, we may be able to help you.

Call us at 404-814-1644 or contact us online to find out whether you might qualify for this type of funding. In the meantime, check to ensure that you meet our loan criteria. Our loan amounts can be up to 65 percent […]

By |November 21st, 2016|Flipping, Hard Money, Hard Money Loans, REIs, Remodeling Tips|0 Comments
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Determining Fair Market Value

If you’re considering buying a home to fix and flip, the time to calculate fair market value is before you make the purchase. Even if you think it will be the deal of the century, the price you pay for the home now doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with its fair market value. The real estate market is constantly moving, and what’s high today could be low tomorrow. It usually doesn’t happen that quickly, but you’ll need to be aware that even a month or two can make a huge difference.
Calculating Fair Market Value
Calculating fair market value is not always easy—especially if you’re not a Realtor®. You’ll need to know what other homes in the area have sold for recently, so looking at the listing price of a home or outdated information won’t give you the information you need. If you don’t turn around a home quickly, the market value may have already changed.

If you’ve decided that fix-and-flip will become your investment niche, it would be a good idea to form an alliance with a real estate agent for several reasons. Not only will he or she be able to help you turn around future investment properties; your real estate partner can help you calculate fair market values accurately. While websites such as Zillow are available, they do not provide solid figures. In fact, the estimates they provide can be off by as much as 18 percent. (That’s a lot in both directions!) In addition, Zillow allows homeowners to update home information; that can make it tough to separate fact from exaggeration. Perhaps most importantly, a lot of the data is outdated.
Do You Need a Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you’re looking for a hard […]

By |November 12th, 2016|Business, Hard Money, Hard Money Loans, Investing, Investment, Investment Properties, Investments, Real Estate, Realtors, REIs|0 Comments
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3 Ways to Stay On Your Game as a Real Estate Investor

Real estate investing isn’t always easy.

In fact, it can be pretty tough to stay motivated when you’re working on a particularly difficult home, having a tough time selling a property that you know is a great deal, or you’re in-between investments.

So what can you do to stay on your game, even when the game isn’t working out the way you want it to?
3 Ways to Stay On Your Game as a Real Estate Investor
While it sounds like a cliché, surrounding yourself with people who believe in you—and in your abilities—is one of the most important things you can do as a real estate investor.

This is true whether you’re brand-new to real estate investing or you’re a seasoned veteran.

Other than that, here’s what you can do.
Motivation Tip #1 for Real Estate Investors: Engage in “Dream-Building”
As a real estate investor, you have goals… but have you written them down? Have you thought about the end result of reaching those goals?

It’s always a good idea to remind yourself where you’re going to be after one more transaction, five more… even 100 more transactions. If that means cutting out a picture of that new sports car or an island getaway in the Bahamas and keeping it in your wallet, go for it.
Motivation Tip #2 for Real Estate Investors: Keep Track of Your Time
You might be surprised if you take an objective look at where you really spend most of your time. Try this: keep track of your time in 15-minute increments. Once you see how much you’re actually able to accomplish in just a quarter of an hour, you’ll be amazed at what you can do in a larger span of time.
Motivation Tip #3 for Real Estate Investors: […]

By |September 23rd, 2016|Business, Hard Money, Investment, REIs|0 Comments
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Who’s Responsible for Duplex Lawn Maintenance?

After purchasing and renovating a duplex, there are some things to consider before drafting a lease. Maintenance issues are not only a legality—they can make or break whether a tenant is attracted to your property.

Renters rent for a number of reasons, and a major one is low- to no maintenance of the dwelling. Renters expect that if a major issue arises inside or out, it will be taken care of.

But what about lawn maintenance?

This can get tricky in a duplex situation.
Lease Agreements and Lawn Maintenance in Atlanta
It is becoming common to see lease agreements specifying that tenants are responsible for the lawn maintenance of a duplex.

There are a few scenarios you should think of when deciding who will be responsible for the lawn care. What if you have a tenant on one side who enjoys gardening and mowing the lawn, while the other tenant thinks that having grass a foot tall is no big deal?

If you hold your tenants responsible for the lawn maintenance, should you provide the equipment? Would it be easier if you just did the lawn maintenance yourself?

These are all important questions, and you have a better chance of handling it up-front than through trial and error.

Having the right verbiage in your lease agreement will eliminate a lot of questions and problems in the long run.

Should you decide that your tenants be responsible for the lawn maintenance, make sure you specify this, along with any aesthetic requirements (grass is to be mowed and trimmed according to city ordinance, garden is to be weeded on a regular basis, lawn is to be watered, etc.). Make it clear that if the tenants do not abide by this, you will add an extra specified […]

By |September 1st, 2016|Business, Investment, Real Estate, REIs|0 Comments
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Stocks or Real Estate: What’s Best for You?

Stocks are volatile and so is real estate, but which is more stable?

When considering where to invest your money, it is important to know that the returns on each are far different.

If you are looking for heart attack-inducing rises and falls on your investment, then stocks may be the way to go.

If you are looking for a steadier return on your investment, without an immediate capital gains penalty, real estate may be worth looking into.

The major advantage of stocks is that there is little work involved. Investing in stocks leaves you at someone else’s mercy, and the ups and downs can be good (or leave you with no money) in just a matter of days. If the market is good, you can sit back, relax and watch your money grow—at least until the next day—when the cycle starts all over.

Investing in real estate has its ups and downs, however; the ride is more gradual. There are many advantages to investing in real estate over investing in stocks such as making a steady income from rentals, being able to deduct interest and depreciation on your taxes, flipping homes, taking advantage of inflation and being able to sell the property later on. If you take advantage of the 1031 Exchange and quickly invest in another property, there will be no immediate capital gains tax. While stocks and real estate investments are both subject to capital gains, there is no chance of deferring the hit you will take when you make money on a stock.
Do You Need a Hard Money Loan in Atlanta?
If you’re looking for a hard money loan in Atlanta, we may be able to help you.

Call us at 404-814-1644 or contact us online to find […]

By |August 30th, 2016|Business, Investment, REIs|0 Comments
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